Work in Radio

Emma Goswell

Presenter, Producer and Podcast Creator

BBC

I've had the most amazing career and my only regret is not getting into radio sooner.

I started my career as a broadcast journalist reading news bulletins on commercial stations before I moved to the BBC.

I co presented Gaydio breakfast not once but twice and Gaydio drive.

I now present shows for Virgin Radio Pride, BBC radio Manchester and Radio Wales, while also producing podcasts for BBC sounds. My own podcasts include Coming Out Stories, Effin Hormones and 2 birds and a baby.

My tips...

• If you do want to work in journalism you can’t blag it – you will need a post-grad in broadcast journalism or equivalent course. Fully understanding contempt of court, libel law, and election reporting restrictions is vital. I was once told unless I could prove a good knowledge of media law, editors wouldn’t touch me with a barge pole!

• Understand that broadcasting is not only a huge privilege, it’s a huge responsibility. Get facts wrong, break guidelines and regulations and you won’t just ruin someone’s day and your reputation, you could potentially risk a huge fine for the station or even criminal charges.

• Be inquisitive. I’m naturally nosey and fascinated by people, so journalism was a natural fit. As well as that you’ll need the confidence to ask questions that might be uncomfortable to ask. Get used to doing vox pops as you’ll be asked to do them a lot. If you can’t go up to complete strangers and ask them about the news of the day you might want to consider a different career!

• Get the on air miles in. Real experience in live radio is worth way more than anything you learn in the classroom. Even getting work experience is tricky these days so be prepared to approach dozens of stations and don’t give up!

• Keep listening. To other stations, other presenters, other news readers, and reporters – but most of all to yourself. It‘s painful to start with, but your bulletins, your reports, or your links will only improve with a lot of listening back, some self-reflection and honest feedback from those in the industry.

• Work hard and don’t expect it to be easy. If you want to work 9 to 5 and have your weekends off, a good starting salary and a pension – perhaps work in comms or PR! My first job involved getting up at 3am on a Saturday and Sunday for very little money but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Radio has given me opportunities I could never have dreamt of. It may have been hard work but it’s been incredibly rewarding and there’s been a LOT of fun along the way!

If I could go back in time...

Stop feeling like you’re not good enough! I never had the confidence to work in radio in my 20’s so went back to college at 31 and felt like I was the oldest work experience person in Manchester! Like a lot of women I suffered massively from imposter syndrome – so even when I started working in the industry I felt like I shouldn’t be there!

I’d tell myself – you ARE good enough and don’t you dare give up because you will get there in the end!